France

France have been forced to pull late call-up David Smith out of their plans for Friday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales after discovering he did not qualify to play for Les Bleus.

With two rounds of the 2016 RBS Six Nations in the books, there has been plenty to talk about over the last couple of weeks.

France overturned a 9-3 half-time deficit to grind out a 10-9 win over Ireland in Paris and make it two RBS Six Nations win out of two.

France head coach Guy Noves has made six changes for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland after his team's nervy opening win against Italy.

Ireland must shut down Sevens star Virimi Vakatawa at source to pull off back-to-back victories in France for the first time in 89 years, according to Dave Kearney.

A late Jules Plisson penalty spared France and new head coach Guy Noves an early embarrassment as France rebounded from an eight-point deficit to beat Italy 23-21 in the opening match of the RBS 6 Nations.

France's Sevens sensation Virimi Vakatawa will make his Test debut in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy in Paris.

The U20 Six Nations is a tournament growing in popularity and offers plenty for fans to watch out for while its senior counterpart also takes place.

The Rugby World Cup may have ended in misery for the European nations but the Six Nations is finally here and, thankfully, it can’t be won by a southern hemisphere nation.

Alexandre Dumoulin is a doubt for France's RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy next week after the centre was told to rest his left knee.

Uncapped winger Marvin O'Connor has been drafted into France's RBS 6 Nations squad.

New France coach Guy Noves has explained Mathieu Bastareaud's absence from his first squad gathering by saying he aims to bring a new style to Les Bleus.

Rugby Rumours: French Power Plays and UK Shifts

Wasps linked to another big name in Halfpenny, Dusautoir hands French captaincy over, move back to league for Eastmond and Faletau's tidy salary over in Bath

Tournament organisers say they are considering "all possible fixture permutations" following opening-round postponements in the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup competitions.

Northampton have completed a major coup by signing France number eight Louis Picamoles on a three-year contract.

France fly-half Frederic Michalak has announced his retirement from international rugby following the humiliating World Cup quarter-final defeat at the hands of New Zealand.

New Zealand scored nine tries to demolish France and record the biggest victory in World Cup quarter-final history.

France captain Thierry Dusautoir has dismissed claims that the French dressing room has staged a ‘rebellion’ against coach Philippe Saint-Andre on the eve of their World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.

France boss Philippe Saint-Andre has hit out at officials for failing to act on what he branded Sean O'Brien's "assault" on Pascal Pape in Sunday's 24-9 defeat to Ireland.